The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Restored Authorized Edition)
starring: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher, Lil Dagover, Hans Heinrich von Twardowski
directed by: Robert Wiene
directed by: Robert Wiene
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Product Description:
A nightmare realm in which light shadow & substance are abstracted a world in which a demented doctor & a carnival sleepwalker perpetrate a series of ghastly murders in a small community.Studio: Kino InternationalRelease Date: 10/05/2004Starring: Conrad Veidt Lil DagoverRun time: 75 minutesDirector: Robert Weine
Amazon.com:
A milestone of the silent film era and one of the first "art films" to gain international acclaim, this eerie German classic from 1919 remains the most prominent example of German expressionism in the emerging art of the cinema. Stylistically, the look of the film's painted sets--distorted perspectives, sharp angles, twisted architecture--was designed to reflect (or express) the splintered psychology of its title character, a sinister figure who uses a lanky somnambulist (Conrad Veidt) as a circus attraction. But when Caligari and his sleepwalker are suspected of murder, their novelty act is surrounded by more supernatural implications. With its mad-doctor scenario, striking visuals, and a haunting, zombie-like character at its center, Caligari was one of the first horror films to reach an international audience, sending shock waves through artistic circles and serving as a strong influence on the classic horror films of the 1920s, '30s, and beyond. It's a museum piece today, of interest more for its historical importance, but Caligari still casts a considerable spell. --Jeff Shannon
A nightmare realm in which light shadow & substance are abstracted a world in which a demented doctor & a carnival sleepwalker perpetrate a series of ghastly murders in a small community.Studio: Kino InternationalRelease Date: 10/05/2004Starring: Conrad Veidt Lil DagoverRun time: 75 minutesDirector: Robert Weine
Amazon.com:
A milestone of the silent film era and one of the first "art films" to gain international acclaim, this eerie German classic from 1919 remains the most prominent example of German expressionism in the emerging art of the cinema. Stylistically, the look of the film's painted sets--distorted perspectives, sharp angles, twisted architecture--was designed to reflect (or express) the splintered psychology of its title character, a sinister figure who uses a lanky somnambulist (Conrad Veidt) as a circus attraction. But when Caligari and his sleepwalker are suspected of murder, their novelty act is surrounded by more supernatural implications. With its mad-doctor scenario, striking visuals, and a haunting, zombie-like character at its center, Caligari was one of the first horror films to reach an international audience, sending shock waves through artistic circles and serving as a strong influence on the classic horror films of the 1920s, '30s, and beyond. It's a museum piece today, of interest more for its historical importance, but Caligari still casts a considerable spell. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Innovative in many ways
The Expressionist sets in this movie really surprised me. Their off-kilter angles and surreal geometries create a suitably dream-like environment for the somnambulist nightmare to take place in. Those wild shapes certainly set the stage appropriately for this unusual movie, but figuratively set the stage for many later innovations in scenery design, as well. The ending, too, has an ambiguity that I didn't expect.
The version of Caligari that I saw wasn't the best restored. That, however, ... Read More
Rating: 
- Madness
First, a word to the wise: Never, ever, EVER buy anything released by Alpha Video. My first copy of The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari was an Alpha reissue, and suffice to say it was one of the most appallingly bad treatments of a classic film that I have ever seen. Aside from the crappy cover art, complete lack of bonus features, inconvenient chapter indexing, and mood-ruining treatment of the intertitles (in multiple cases, they're quite clearly typed on a computer), Alpha's Caligari is presented in a print ... Read More
Rating: - Classic German Expressionism
Dr. Caligari presents the viewer with a frightening vision of the world through the lens of German Expressionism. It's surprising how frightening and impactful this film can be. You will have dreams about it, I promise. These between-the-wars German films are riddled with creepy foreshadowing for us in the present, who know what was about to happen in Germany.
I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It's truly fascinating. And, it really (really) is an art film, since it purposefully and ... Read More
Rating: - The Best DVD Version of Dr. Caligari
The print is outstanding, the Jazz score is amazing and the toning of the print is excellent.This is also a 35mm print from Germany.Everything is done right with this film.I'm glad Kino took the time.I've never seen Dr. Caligari look so good and sound so good.Kino did an exemplary job.If you haven't seen the film, you've got to, it's too good to not see at least once in your lifetime.It should really be many times.
Rating: - One of the greatest examples of German Expressionism
Dr. Caligari presents the viewer with a frightening vision of the world through the lens of German Expressionism.It's surprising how frightening and impactful this film can be.You will have dreams about it, I promise. These between-the-wars German films are riddled with creepy foreshadowing for us in the present, who know what was about to happen in Germany.
I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It's truly fascinating. And, it really (really) is an art film, since it purposefully and ... Read More
- Innovative in many waysThe Expressionist sets in this movie really surprised me. Their off-kilter angles and surreal geometries create a suitably dream-like environment for the somnambulist nightmare to take place in. Those wild shapes certainly set the stage appropriately for this unusual movie, but figuratively set the stage for many later innovations in scenery design, as well. The ending, too, has an ambiguity that I didn't expect.
The version of Caligari that I saw wasn't the best restored. That, however, ... Read More
- MadnessFirst, a word to the wise: Never, ever, EVER buy anything released by Alpha Video. My first copy of The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari was an Alpha reissue, and suffice to say it was one of the most appallingly bad treatments of a classic film that I have ever seen. Aside from the crappy cover art, complete lack of bonus features, inconvenient chapter indexing, and mood-ruining treatment of the intertitles (in multiple cases, they're quite clearly typed on a computer), Alpha's Caligari is presented in a print ... Read More
- Classic German ExpressionismDr. Caligari presents the viewer with a frightening vision of the world through the lens of German Expressionism. It's surprising how frightening and impactful this film can be. You will have dreams about it, I promise. These between-the-wars German films are riddled with creepy foreshadowing for us in the present, who know what was about to happen in Germany.
I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It's truly fascinating. And, it really (really) is an art film, since it purposefully and ... Read More
- The Best DVD Version of Dr. Caligari The print is outstanding, the Jazz score is amazing and the toning of the print is excellent.This is also a 35mm print from Germany.Everything is done right with this film.I'm glad Kino took the time.I've never seen Dr. Caligari look so good and sound so good.Kino did an exemplary job.If you haven't seen the film, you've got to, it's too good to not see at least once in your lifetime.It should really be many times.
- One of the greatest examples of German Expressionism Dr. Caligari presents the viewer with a frightening vision of the world through the lens of German Expressionism.It's surprising how frightening and impactful this film can be.You will have dreams about it, I promise. These between-the-wars German films are riddled with creepy foreshadowing for us in the present, who know what was about to happen in Germany.
I cannot recommend this film highly enough. It's truly fascinating. And, it really (really) is an art film, since it purposefully and ... Read More
